264 COME INTO THE GARDEN 



interpretations as far as these details are con- 

 cerned; and thus interpreted there is nothing 

 faintly akin to the horror of the old rockery 

 anywhere discoverable. 



It is not invariably necessary to resort to the 

 pyramid of stones, however, for these separate 

 rock pockets which provide just the special 

 conditions that plants from the opposite ends 

 of the earth require. Sunken rockeries are some- 

 times built, with steps leading down into them 

 and planting at the top of the banks that hides 

 them completely; a circular form may be used 

 also, either with or without a mound at the cen- 

 ter, around which the walk passes. Such a one 

 sometimes is made wholly on the surface of the 

 ground, and sometimes is wholly lowered into 

 the ground; in either case a small goldfish basin 

 or bird pool at the center will increase the in- 

 terest, especially to the average visitor who is 

 not a botanist or collector. There is in fact no 

 rule against making even the simplest rockery, 

 built for the sole purpose of growing special 

 plants, as attractive as ingenuity and imagina- 

 tion permit; but even when it is thus handled, 

 remember that it is still a showcase, and as such, 

 entitled to the special distinction (if it seems 

 more considerate to put it this way) of a place 

 by itself. It is a wholly unnatural feature; 



